Is it just me or does the Bash seem more subdued this year?

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brookswife803

brookswife803

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Joined
Sep 12, 2009
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Location
Aiken, SC.
I've been following the Bash on hubbies login and have just noticed that there really isn't that much of the fun joking and friendly banter that went on last year. I have to say this is my favorite time of year on IAP and am sad to see the mood dim so much this year. Anyone have any thoughts as to why? Or am I just imagining things?
 
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yeah last year there was all kinds of smack talkin' and fun! This ain't a funeral people, Its ok to motivate others through encouraging words!
 
IMVHHO, the whole IAP has been that way for a bit.
I don't track it, but how has attendance been lately (past 12 months)?
That last castaway event seemed to end in a whimper and there hasn't been many "bangs" lately.
 
me too

I have noticed that there does not seem to be as much posting in Casual Conversation for the past several months. It seems to me that most of the posting has been in 'show your pens' recently - that's just a casual observation though nothing that I'd make book on. It also seems there has been more medical problems and illnesses reported lately which could also be part of it. I know my own life has not been that great since last August and that has subdued me some.
 
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It is a different crowd. Alot more newbies and the elder statesman have gone on. Just look at the show us your pen thread and what do you see?? Just follow some of the other threads and look at the questions. It is a new guard that is moving in. Just look at last years Bash and see the names that are no longer here and you will understand. :biggrin: I am looking forward to seeing some of the entries in the contests because there are many new names. Could be interesting to see the fresh new ideas or at least I am hoping for them.
 
It does seem a little more subdued. For you guys south of here maybe it's feeling the pinch as Obama let the Bush tax cuts expire. For me it's 4 family funerals since the start of the year. Got a new lathe at the start of the year and have just barely had time to set it up let alone use it or figure out were to put all the stuff I had to move. I've managed the trivia most days and hopefully will get a pen turned for one of the other contests before the end of the month.
 
We gain many new members each week. I suspect they are not real comfortable yet. In addition, I agree that many of the "older guys" are having health issues, which will definitely dim your spirits, at least for a while.

And, yes the contests are holding off showing pictures for the most part. Again, not much to banter about--so not much banter.

Hopefully we can wake people up with a few good auctions, as well as the contests hitting the stage where the contenders will be shown.

Remember, the bash is discussed and revamped all year, among the planning group. If you have any observations that you want the "committee" to see, Post them, here or anywhere. Rather not say something negative---send a PM to Mike Broberg. You will find few people are as organized as Mike, yet he is open to ANY change, if there seems to be a good rationale!!

In short, this is YOUR bash---the IAP members. Think you have an idea to improve it--speak up!!! REALLY want to improve it----ask to be on the planning committee---but be prepared for a lot of hours of input and analysis----help "pull the bus"!!

Ed
 
IMO, as was mentioned about lack of banter and picking on each other. Normally we've had a "smack" thread and it's gone. Not sure why but that did cause such a roar that seemed to transmit into the other areas.
 
What has also been missing - is controversial topics that stimulate a lot of sometimes heated debate. I think the changes discussed a year or so ago and implemented had as one of their goals to do exactly that.
 
I for one am new to the pen turning forums. I just got my lathe set up after about a 5 year off about 6-7 months ago. I am trying to get a feel for "The Bash", but the way I follow the forum (using the new post tab) it is not easy. I am trying to figure out this "new" style of penturing, also. I started turning wood and enjoy that. But this new world of coating pens in CA and making them plastic drives me crazy. The upswing in Resin pens, while colorful just takes the fun out of it. I doubt those last two have much to do with the bash, but are big reasons I stayed out his year. Heck even auction #2 for the Fairfield Vase mentions "finished in a fiction polish which was popular at the time", it drives me crazy we have to make excuses for designs of one of the founders of our hobby.
 
I'll chuck my thoughts in as well.
I have been a member for about 12 months now and am very unsure about what "Goes on here" even though I am directly involved with the Wood ID contest. There have been several rather CUTE comments made so far, especially by Classic Nib Roy.
I had a real laugh at his thread about the dunny seat. Should be more fof it.
Bob.
 
JLewis said:
I for one am new to the pen turning forums. I just got my lathe set up after about a 5 year off about 6-7 months ago. I am trying to get a feel for "The Bash", but the way I follow the forum (using the new post tab) it is not easy. I am trying to figure out this "new" style of penturing, also. I started turning wood and enjoy that. But this new world of coating pens in CA and making them plastic drives me crazy. The upswing in Resin pens, while colorful just takes the fun out of it. I doubt those last two have much to do with the bash, but are big reasons I stayed out his year. Heck even auction #2 for the Fairfield Vase mentions "finished in a fiction polish which was popular at the time", it drives me crazy we have to make excuses for designs of one of the founders of our hobby.
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I find this quote a bit odd. This is not a new style of pen turning. Pen turning as a whole may be new to you. Look at all your highend pen companies and you do not see wood pens and why is that??? Because they are unpredictable (cracking) and get dirty from use. So a way to make them more personal and friendly to use people over time have come up with various ways to protect them. Also what has been found that customers love color and color sells, thus acrylics and with todays acrylics and other materials being used to make pens they have become more desirable and collectable.

Not sure what you mean about the last part and the vase. That method of finishing is still used alot today. An item such as a vase does not get handled as much as a pen so it is an acceptable finish by all means.

If you are into turning woods of all kind then do so. No one is holding a gun to your head and telling you what to turn. Finish the piece off as you see fit. If you are into selling your pieces then suit your clients as to the finish they would like to see. Add color by using spalted and burled woods. Do some segmenting. That is a whole world of creativness there that is just now becoming accepted and pursued.

Don't go crazy and follow what everyone else is doing. Do it your way and maybe we will follow you. Be a trend setter. Turning of all kind is a past time and a hobby. Yes some have made it a business but they are few. There are no rules. Lets see what you got. :smile: Have a good day.
 
There is more "structure" and more " rules" than ever before at IAP. This can be a good thing but perhaps we are taking ourselves too "seriously". Everyone ease up a bit and just enjoy the fun that is supposed to be the essence of the Bash.
 
I have also sensed a lack of excitement surrounding this years Bash and I have been trying to figure out why. One of the things we did differently this year was to give every contest it's own forum. the intent is to make things easier for people to find without having to wade through a bunch of individual posts. Maybe the law of unintended consequences kicked in and people are not venturing into the Birthday Bash area.

Most of the contests that require a photo of a pen are holding the photos from public view until the voting starts. This is in response to feedback we received last year that 1.) some entries were receiving more exposure than others and 2.) some people are not entering because they feel they have no chance of winning against a pen that has already been posted. It's hard to get excited about something you can't see. I think this may be contributing to the subdued atmosphere. Hopefully, now that polls are going to start opening and photos will be posted things will pick up. This is an area we will give some serious thought to during the coming year.

Even in those contests where photos are being posted (Edible Pen, Casting) I'm not seeing much "banter". I don't know why that is.

The Ugly Pen contest will return next year. There are a couple of reasons why it was omitted this year. The primary reason, in my opinion, is that the Ugly Pen contest is no longer what it was intended to be. It has morphed from "The Ugly Pen Contest" to become "The Grossest, Most Disgusting Pen I Can Possibly Make Contest". The original intent of the Ugly Pen contest was to display the pens you made during the previous year that didn't turn out the way you planned. Either through error or poor vision the pen, which was turned in good faith, turned out UGLY. Having pens that look like used tampons or turds made specifically for the contest is NOT what we want on the IAP. So the Ugly Pen Contest will return but with some clear cut guidelines as to what will be allowed to be entered.

Please share your ideas about how to improve our annual party. Next year will be the big ONE-ZERO. We need to do something really special for the 10th Anniversary. Feel free to post your comments in the Activity Managers forum or PM them directly to me. Believe me, the Bash Planners WANT people to be excited about and during the Bash. How can we assure that wil happen?
 
For me it more a matter of timing. With a garage shop that is still in the process of being setup and not having a source of heat, it is difficult to turn a pen when your hands are shaking from the cold. Hopefully next year the shop will be complete and heated. Then watch out because it will be a clean sweep no one else will have a chance. :tongue:

Brian
 
I have noticed the lack of banter as well. I'm sure that not displaying the entries is part of it. Even the contests that are showing the entries are not displaying the name of the entrant, so it kind of prevents some of the banter.
 
As a newby i find this forum a daily routine...in fact somebody mentioned the other day..." you never catch neal looking at porn any more"... i really enjoyed the super bowl pool. i learn so much here...if there was a brain surgery forum as good as this i might be dr. neal...thank you everybody for every thing
 
Here is what I feel would make it better next year:

1.) See the submitted pens in a contest before its too late to make a pen. I saw some edible pens and decided to make one, and I saw some frankenpens and was suddenly inspired to enter, but now it's too late.

2.) have a second "recent posts" window for bash threads only, that would make it more relevant and easier to keep up with.
Just an opinion.
 
I'm just waiting for Ed to auction off more of those found in a tornado ravaged trailer park wicker chair remnants. You know, the ones claimed to be 1000 years old or more.

How's that?
 
What is there to comment on .... there was a little banter on the last crossword but only by those doing it. What's to banter about in the trivia? With few pictures there can't be any barbs, jabs, digs or giggles in the pen contests.....
There will probably be some in the autions....
 
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Joe S. said:
Here is what I feel would make it better next year:

1.) See the submitted pens in a contest before its too late to make a pen. I saw some edible pens and decided to make one, and I saw some frankenpens and was suddenly inspired to enter, but now it's too late.

2.) have a second "recent posts" window for bash threads only, that would make it more relevant and easier to keep up with.
Just an opinion.
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Here's a link that will show you new posts in the Bash Category. I'll add that to the menu bar next year.

Get New Bash Posts
 
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